Cotton stripping or doffing device



July 9, 1957 J. H. GRAY COTTON STRIPPING OR DOFFING DEVICE Filed Sept. 16, 1955 1 2,798,352 COTTON STRIPPING OR DOFFING DEVICE James H. Gray, Memphis, Tenn., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis. Application September 16, 1955, Serial No. 534,787 5 7 Claims. (CI. 56-41) 2 the accompanying drawing disclosing an embodiment of the invention, and will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top view of part of a cotton picking machine incorporating rod type picking spindles,

parts of a spindle stripping mechanism being shown in plan, and parts of a picked cotton elevator being broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line III-4H of Fig. 2, showing a stripper shoe assembly and mounting structure therefor;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a stripper shoe assembly shown in Fig. 3, the view of Fig. 4 being taken from the side of the assembly against which the cotton is moved as indicated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 3.

The mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 forms part of a cotton picking machine which, as a whole, may be similar to a conventional cotton picking machine of the type wherein rotary, rod like picking spindles are arranged for horizontal travel in an oblong path, and wherein cotton is picked up by the spindles during their movement along one side of the oblong path and stripped from the spindles during their movement along the other side of the oblong path. U. S. Patent 2,671,298, granted on March 9, 1954 to R. C. Fergason for Cotton Picker, illustrates and describes various features of construction of such a machine, and may be referred to for a showing of structure which has been omitted from the accompanyin g drawing.

The reference character 1 in Fig.1 of the accompanying drawing generally designates an endless slat belt comprising a series of vertical slats 2, and which is mounted on suitably arranged sprocket wheels, not shown, for travel in a horizontal oblong path, the direction of such travel being indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. Each slat 2 mounts a vertical series of horizontally extending, rotary picking spindles 3, and the vertical spacing of the spindles from each other is the same on all the slats, so that they will travel in horizontal rows when the slat belt moves in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. The top row of spindles which is shown in Fig. 1 is indicated in Fig. 2 by the reference character 4, and other spindle rows below the top row 4 are indicated in Fig. 2 by the reference characters 6, '7 and 8. As shown in Fig. 1, the spindles are rearwardly inclined relative to their direction of forward movement through a stripping mechanism which will be explained in detail hereinbelow, and a suitable control mechanism, not shown, is provided for swinging the spindle slats into the rearwardly inclined positions in which they are shown in Fig. l.

At the left part of Fig. 1 portions of a mounting frame for the slat belt 1 are generally indicated by the reference uplset by sufbsequent adjustment of the next gap in a verti- 33;1 1 123 fi 2523 gs iign ig iigid ii $51 353 ca serieso ga s. i

A still furth i ar object of the invention is to provide for i n g igigs g llfig gozi ii r n glligzs g grttiigltl mglmt;3 dual ad'ustment of each ga one adjustment being prosen s o vided oh the shoe defining t he lower side of the gap and stnPPer shoe g a brackets or PPP F only five of the other: adjustmeint "lgcifilg provided on theshoe which g g g' sgz g f fi, a v g gz definest eu ersi eo t e gap. e i

A still fur lier object of the invention is to provide an 85 are of identical Constructio? and 9 Presents improved spindle stripping mechanism of the hereinabove tlcal Wall 13 and a P 0f 3 Spaced outlined character which is so constructed that any desired ZOIltallY ap Sillifening ribs 19 (Figs. 3 and Each adjustments f h gaps can b d v i tl of the stripper shoe supporting brackets 12 through 16 peditiously and without the aid of a specially designed is rigidly secured to the post 11 by means of a pair of L m cap screws 21 and associated nuts.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are AS Shown in 2, the P bracket 2 and t e next attained by the present invention various novel features underlying bracket 13 are mounted on the post 11 at a of which will be apparent from the description herein and vertical spacing from each other in such relation to the This invention relates to cotton harvesters, and it is concerned more particularly with a mechanism for removing cotton from rod type picking spindles, that is, from spindles which consist essentially of a straight, preferably fluted, piece of round steel wire and from which accumulated cotton may be removed by pushing the cotton axially oif one end of the spindle.

In order to provide for the removal of cotton from rod 15 type picking spindles in the mentioned manner it has heretofore been customary to pass the spindles through a stationary, comb like stripper structure, and to arrange the latter and the spindles in such angular relation to each other that the spindles will move obliquely to their axes in a horizontal direction through the gaps of the stripper structure. If the spindles are to be stripped clean, the edges of the comb like structure which define the stripping gaps must come close to the peripheries of the spindles, or in other words, the vertical spacing between the stripping edges must be large enough to accommodate passage of the spindles through the stripping gaps without undue friction, and also small enough to avoid appreciable vertical play of the spindles relative to the stationary elements of the stripper structure which define the stripping gaps. Accurate control of the radial clearance between the picking spindles and the stripping edges presents a problem because the stripper elements and picking elements are subject to wear in norm-a1 operation and also because certain manufacturing variations must be tolerated in order to keep production costs down. Attempts have been made during the past to provide for adjustment of the spindle stripping gaps so that their width may be increased or decreased as required, but the construct-ions which have been developed in connection with such earlier attempts are believed to have not been entirely satisfact-ory, particularly in the matter of precisely adjusting the individual spindle stripping gaps to the desired dimensions independently of each other.

Generally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for removing cotton from rod type picking spindles, which will take care of the hereinabove outlined requirements in a practical and fully satisfactory manner.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a stripper assembly for cotton pickers incorporating a channel shaped stripper shoe and an improved adjustable bracing structure for the flanges of the stripper shoe by means of which the gaps between adjacent pairs of stripper shoes may be accurately adjusted, one at a time, and in such a manner that once a gap has been adjusted to a desired width, such adjustment will not be top row 4 of picking spindles that movement of the slat belt 1 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 will cause the rearwardly inclined spindles 3 of the top row 4 to pass through the space betweenrthe brackets 12 and 13. During such passage of the top row spindles through the space between the brackets 12 and 13, cotton tufts 22, which have been wound up on the spindles during the picking operation, are stripped from the spindles by the combined action of apair of stripper shoes 23 and 24 which are mounted on the brackets 12 and 13, respectively.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the stripper shoe 24 is made, preferably in one piece, of: plate-steel by bending a suitably shaped blank into channel shape and by folding a pair of spindle guide tongues 26 and 27 inwardly so that oneoverlaps the other as bestshown in Fig. 4. The channel shaped spindle stripper shoe 24 comprises a vertically disposed, longitudinally extending web portion 28 secured to'the wall 18 of the support bracket 13, and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges 29 and 31 which are integral with and project from the web portion 28 in vertically spaced relation to each other. The flanges 29 and 31 are ground square at the longitudinally extending, open side of the shoe to provide a keen, rectangular stripping edge 32 along the flange 29, and another keen; rectangular stripping edge 33 along the flange 31.

A retainer bar 34, preferably cut from metal bar stock, is positioned between the flanges 29 and 31 in fixed relation to the web portion 28 and has one side surface 36 which extends longitudinally of the shoe 24 in opposed, spaced relation to the inner surface 37 of the shoe flange 29, and another side surface 38 which extends longitudinally of the shoe 24 in opposed, spaced relation to the inner surface 39 of the shoe flange 31. A cap screw 41 extends through a horizontal bore of the retainer bar 34 and through registering holes in the web 28 of the stripper shoe 24 and in the vertical wall 18 of the stripper shoe supporting bracket 13. A nut 42 on the rearwardly extending threaded portion of the cap screw 41 is drawn up against the adjacent rear face of the bracket wall 18 so as to clamp the shoe web 28 firmly between the flat front face of the bracket wall 18 and the flat rear face of the retainer bar 34. Another cap screw 43 and associated nut 44 are arranged in a manner similar to the cap screw 41 and nut 42 for additionally securing the channel web 28 to the bracket wall 18 and thereby fixedly positioning the stripper shoe 24 on the supporting bracket 13.

The foregoing explanations with respect to the construction of the spindle stripper shoe 24- and its mounting on the supporting bracket 13 similarly apply to the construction and mounting of the stripper shoe 23 on the supporting bracket 12. The entire stripper mechanism of the complete machine comprises one pair of relatively adjacent stripper shoes for each horizontal row of picking spindles, the shoes 23 and 24 constituting the pair for the top row 4, and similar pairs of shoes being provided for the other rows. That is, the second row 6 of picking spindles is stripped by the shoe 24 on the bracket 13 and by a companion shoe 24 on the'bracket 14; and each subsequent row is similarly stripped by a pair of companion shoes 24 on supporting brackets above and below the respective row. q

Referring again to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a pair of thrust transmitting bolts or first bracing means in the form of cap screws 46 and 47 are threaded into the retainer bar 34 and extend axially from the side surface 36 of the latter into cooperative engagement with the inner side surface 37 of the stripper shoe flange 29. The tapped holes in the retainer bar 34 which receive the threaded shanks of the thrust transmitting bolts or elements 46 and 47, extend at right angles to the side surface 36 on axes parallel to the web portion 28 of the stripper shoe 24. The transverse spacing of the bolts 46 and 47 from the bottom of the stripper shoe 24 is such that the end portions or heads of these bolts contact or are in axial load transmitting engagement with the flange 29 in proximity to its outer end, as best shown in Fig. 5. The head of the bolt 46 presents a peripheral portion of the bolt intermediate its .ends which is adapted for cooperative engagement with a torque applying tool, such as an ordinary wrench, and the head of the bolt 47 constitutes a similar peripheral portion for cooperative engagement with a torque applying tool.

In the condition of the parts as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the heads of the bolts 46 and 47 bear axially against the flange 29 and function as bracing means for said flange to prevent deflection of the latter relative to the web portion 28 inwardly toward the retainer bar 34.

Another pair of thrust transmitting bolts or second bracing means in the form of cap screws 48 and 49 are threaded into the retainer bar 34 and extend axially from the side surface 38 of the latter into cooperative engagement with the inner surface 39 of the stripper shoe flange 31. Like the bolts 46 and 47, the bolts 48 and 49 are disposed on axes parallel to the web portion 28 of the stripper shoe 24, and the heads of the bolts 48 and 49 contact the flange 31 in proximity to the stripping edge 33. Inward deflection of the stripper shoe flange 31 relative to the web portion 28 is prevented by its contact with the thrust transmitting bolts 48 and 49.

The foregoing explanations with respect to the provision of thrust transmitting bolts 46, 47 and 48, 49 for the stripper shoe 24 on the bracket 13 similarly apply to each of the stripper shoes which are provided for stripping the horizontal rows of picking spindles.

When the slat belt 1 is driven in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 the picking spindles pass between adjacent pairs of stripping shoes 24, and it is important for proper stripping of the cotton tufts from the spindles that the stripping edges of the adjacent pairs of stripper shoes come sufficiently close to the peripheries of the picking spindles so that the cotton fibers will be practically scraped axially off the spindles while the latter move obliquely to their axes along the stripping edges of adjacent pairs of stripper shoes. The thrust transmitting bolts 46 and 47 at the upper side of the retainer bar 34 on the supporting bracket 13 may be turned in or out relative to the retainer bar 34 so as to adjust the stripping gap for the top row 4 of picking spindles to a width small enough to obtain the desired scraping action and large enough to permit passage of the spindles through the gaps without undue friction. By adjusting the bolts 46 and 47 upwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 relative to the retainer bar 34 the flange 29 of the stripper shoe 24 will be deflected upwardly relative to the web portion 28 and as a result the vertical width of the stripping gap for the top row 4 of the picking spindles will be reduced. Similarly, downward adjustment of the bolts 46 and 47 relative to the retainer bar 34 Will permit downward deflection of the upper flange 29 of the stripper shoe 24 relative to the web port-ion 28 with the result that the vertical width of the stripping gap for the top row 4 of picking spindles will be increased.

The stripper shoe 23 which is mounted on the supporting bracket 12 above the stripper shoe 24 as shown in Fig. 2 is equipped, as indicated hereinbefore, with adjustable bracing means for its lower flange by the provision of up and down adjustable thrust transmitting bolts 48 and 49 at the underside of the retainer bar 34 between the upper and lower flanges of the stripper shoe 23. The bolts 48 and 49, which bear against the lower flange of the stripping shoe 23, may be manipulated like the bolts 46 and 47 which bear against the upper flange of the stripper shoe 24 to vary the vertical width of the stripping gap for the top row 4 of the picking spindles.

The foregoing explanations with regard to the variation of the stripping gap for the top row 4 of the picking spindles similarly applied to the stripping gaps for the other rows 6, 7 and 8 of the picking spindles. For instance, the vertical width of the stripping gap for the second row 6 of picking spindles may be varied either by up and down adjustment of the thrust transmitting bolts 48 and 49 which bear against the lower flange of the stripper shoe 24 on supporting bracket 13, or by up and down adjustment of the thrust transmitting bolts 46 and 47 which bear against the upper flange of the stripper shoe 24 on the supporting bracket 13. If desired, the vertical width of any stripping gap may, of course, be varied by adjusting the thrust transmitting bolts at each side of the gap, that is, by deflecting the upper flange as well as the lower flange at the vertically opposite sides of the stripping gap.

It will be noted that the herein disclosed stripping mechanism provides for convenient and accurate adjustment of any one of the various stripping gaps and that once a stripping gap has been adjusted such adjustment Will not be upset by adjustment of the next stripping gap above or below the adjustment gap.

In operation of the cotton picker the cotton which has been stripped for the picking spindles is collected and conveyed to a storage receptacle in the usual manner. A vertical conveyor housing is generally indicated in Fig. 1 by the reference character 51, and an endless belt type conveyer Within the housing 51 includes flights 52. by means of which the cotton tufts which have been stripped from the picking spindles may be engaged and delivered into a suitable du'ct structure, not shown. A deflector structure 53 is mounted on the post 11 and arranged in conventional manner to assist passage of the cotton tufts into cooperative engagement with the conveyer flights 52.

It should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the herein disclosed forms and details of construction and that the invention includes such other forms and modifications as are embraced by the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a cotton harvester of the type having a support, a series of stripper shoes each having a vertically disposed, longitudinally extending web portion secured to said support and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges integral with and projecting from said web portion in vertically spaced relation to each other, and wherein said stripper shoes are vertically spaced apart to provide horizontally extending spindle stripping gaps therebetween; the combination, with each of said stripper shoes, of a retainer bar positioned between said flanges in fixed relation to said web portion; and bracing means operatively associated with one of said flanges independently of the other of said flanges and mounted on said, retainer bar for back and forth adjustment relative thereto so that said one flange will be deflected relative to said web portion and the width of the stripping gap between said one flange and the adjacent stripper shoe will be varied by said adjustment of said bracing means without varying the width of the stripping gap between the other of said flanges and the stripper shoe next to said other flange.

2. In a cotton harvester of the type having a support, a series of stripper shoes each having a vertically disposed, longitudinally extending web portion secured to said support and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges integral with and projecting from said web portion in vertically spaced relation to each other, and wherein said stripper shoes are vertically spaced apart to provide horizontally extending spindle stripping gaps therebetween; the combination, with each of said stripper shoes, of a retainer bar positioned between said flanges in fixed relation to said web portion; first bracing means operatively associated with one of said flanges independently of the other of said flanges and mounted on said retainer bar for back and forth adjustment relative thereto so that said one flange will be deflected relative to said Web portion and the width of the stripping gap between said one flange and the adjacent stripper shoe will be varied by said adjustment of said first bracing means without varying the width of the stripping gap between said other flange and the stripper shoe next thereto; and second bracing means operatively associated with said other flange independently of said one flange and mounted on said retainer bar for back and forth adjustment relative thereto so that said other flange will be deflected relative to said web portion and the Width of the stripping gap between said other flange and the stripper shoe next thereto will be varied by said adjustment of said second bracing means without varying the width of said first mentioned stripping gap.

3. A stripper assembly for cotton pickers comprising, in combination, a channel member having a longitudinally extending web portion and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges integral with and projecting from said web portion in transversely spaced relation to each other, a longitudinally extending retainer bar secured to said web portion in the space between said flanges, and at least one thrust transmitting element having a screw threaded connection with said retainer bar on an axis extending transversely of the latter to a point on the inner surface of one of said flanges, said thrust transmitting element having an end portion in axial load transmitting engagement with said one flange at said inner side of the latter and being eflective upon rotation thereof relative to said retainer bar in one direction, to deflect said one flange relative to said web portion in a direction away from said retainer bar.

4. A stripper shoe assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said thrust transmitting element is connected in screw threaded relation with said retainer bar on an axis extending generally parallel to said web portion of said channel member.

5. A stripper shoe assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said thrust transmitting element has a peripheral portion intermediate its ends adapted for cooperative engagement with a torque applying tool.

6. A stripper shoe assembly for cotton pickers comprising, in combination, a channel member having a longitudinally extending Web portion and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges integral with and projecting from said web portion in transversely spaced relation to each other, a longitudinally extending retainer bar secured to said web portion in the space between said flanges and having a side surface extending longitudinally of said channel member in opposed, spaced relation to the inner surface of one of said flanges, and a plurality of thrust transmitting bolts screw threaded into said retainer bar and extending axially from said side surface of the latter into cooperative engagement with said inner surface of said one flange.

7. A stripper shoe assembly for cotton pickers comprising, in combination, a channel member having a longitudinally extending web portion and a pair of longitudinally extending flanges integral with and projecting from said web portion in transversely spaced relation to each other, a longitudinally extending retainer bar secured to said web portion in the space between said flanges and having surfaces at its opposite sides, respec tively, in opposed, spaced relation to the inner sides of said flanges, thrust transmitting bolts screw threaded into said retainer bar at longitudinally spaced portions of the latter and extending axially from one of said opposite sides of the latter into cooperative engagement with the flange facing said one side of said retainer bar, and other thrust transmitting bolts screw threaded into said retainer bar at longitudinally spaced portions of the latter and extending axially from the other of said opposite sides of the latter into cooperative engagement with the flange facing said other side of said retainer bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,629,221 Rust Feb. 24, 1953 2,665,535 Rust Jan. 12, 1954 2,671,298 Fergason Mar. 9, 1954 2,691,265 Fergason Oct. 12, 1954 

